The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-02-10
THE LIEUTENANT'S MULE.

THE LIEUTENANT'S MULE.
have not, 50 far, given Lieut., D.
father q reputation for veracity in his
stories. The mention OF the Vigilance
Committee few moments ago reminds
me of one on him which will illustrate
his character in another respect. In
1850 he was in California at 4 mining
camp then called Hangtown. but now
known as Placerville; Hangtown was
well named, for it was the headquarters
Of the Vigilance Committee in that
portion of the State, and more hang
ings of lawless characters were going
on there per hour than in any other
village, town, or city on earth. The
little community had long suffered
from horse and mule thieves, but the
scoundrels were so adroit and knew the
country so well that they were seldom
captured. Once in a while, feeling Sc
cure. one would become indiscreet or
unwary and would be captured and
then tried before court of vigilantes.
The leader Of this gang Of thieves had
never been caught. and things got so
bad that finally determined effort was
made. and he was captured while riding
ovv thoVs ,&c II
brought to camp, pleaded not guilty,
bat was sentenced to be hanged the
following morning. d., who was a
member of the Vigilance Committee,
was detailed to guard the fellow during
the night.
One by one the tired miners went TO
sleep. Night settled down, and D. was
left sitting on box, his rifle across his
knees, while the outlaw was bound
securely with ropes and tied with his
back to tree only few feet away.
The overland mail had arrived that day
and along toward midnight d. lighted
acandle and began reading Cincinnati
newspaper in the endeavor to make the
long hours pass quickly. The camp
was in tall pine forest-:thc tree-tops
50 close together that they shut out any
light from the stars. Here and there
could be seen miners, rolled up in their
blankets, fast asleep on the ground. A
few smoldering fires still gave little
| light; now and then momentary
flame would shoot up from one OF
them. Frightening the dark night but
little. and then through the gloom
could bo seen d. guarding the prisoner.
All was quiet. D. was reading home
news, when the prisoner, who had seen
the name of the paper, printed in large
type at the top of the page. broke the
silence by saying in a low voice:
stranger. will you let me say few
words to you? I've only got few
hours. and l want to speak to you a
little"
Yes answered d. in surly tone,
Ego on
..Do you hail from Cincinnati, my
friend? | see you are reading Gin
| cinnati newspaper. and that was nv
home. and would like to ask you, If
you ever 60 back that way. to tell =
little lie for me, and say l had been
killed fighting the Indians. for it would
break my poor old fathers heart il he
heard the truth
'I'll do il" answered D., ..but don't
call me your friend"
Something familiar in the prisoners
voide struck d., however. and as the
man talked ID. wondered where he had
heard that voice before. and finally
settled on the man rs Bill S.. who had
been big boy and in higher class at
st. Francis Xayier's College when he
himself was little boy there. And in
the tall, brosd-shouldered, brawny-
looking outlaw. his face hardened by ex-
posure and dissipation, could still be
seen the likeness Of the schoolboy who
had run away from homo to California.
Excuse me-" said the prisoner, ..for
calling you my friend, but you wero
readinga paper from my home, and it
seemed TO me had seen you before.
Did you 20 to the Jesuits' school in
Cincinnati when you wore = little boy,
for your face reminds ME Of . youngster
l knew thero whose name WAS D.
Frank D.. think? I remember him
very we'll, because one day he was
being bullicd by 4 bigger boy; no was
delicate and couldn't defend himself,
and turned in and laid the bully out. :"
"Yes. Bill" said d.. Il was the boy,
and remember it all. But am sorry
to see you where you are, | didn't
think YOU had gone SO low. And now.
Bill. l.you have got to die in the morning.
and il You have any messages that you
want to send home you had better give
them to me, for your time ia short. l
will tell the lie you asked me to tell.
and if necessary ! will cover it up with
\ thousand more. -
| After remaining in silence for some
time and evidently in deep thought. d.
continued: "Bill, do you think after
this experience. If you were free again
that you ould lead decent life and
become good citizen?' YES" said
Bill. Il would. but there's no show for
mo now
"Well. Bill. il you will promise me
faithfully that you will alwaystry to tc
right. l will let you go in remembrance
OF the time when YOU licked that bully
to save me. for | think boy who
, would do that would grow to be \ mar
too good to hang
, "But Frank" said Bill. ..can yo,
do it and save yourself, for they Nigh
hang you in my place. and woult